Hit-and-Run Death

Thursday

Jun 13, 2013 at 12:35 AM

The article on June 8 on page B1 ["Pedestrian Dies in Hit-and-Run Accident on Memorial Boulevard"] relates an unbelievable, incredible miscarriage of justice.A man, Marvin Mitchell, going fishing in broad daylight, with no weather issues, is killed by a driver who doesn't even stop. Yanique T. Ann Davis' car is found some blocks away "behind a business." (Was she hiding from the police?) She claims "she didn't realize she hit someone."Marvin Mitchell was walking on the shoulder when she "drifted off the right side of the roadway."Hitting a grown man with enough force to kill him is not like running over a squirrel. Even running over a squirrel is noticeable by any normal, competent driver. Just running off the road should be noticeable.Was the driver charged with vehicular homicide? No. Leaving the scene of an accident? No. Reckless driving? No. Or even careless driving? No. Was she even given a ticket? No.One can get a ticket for careless driving for a no-injury fender bender. But Ms. Davis was "released from the scene," probably even before the deceased Mr. Mitchell. Was she at least made to view the scene she caused?If all this happened as related in the article, the Lakeland Police Department should be ashamed and should correct this obvious oversight.["The case remains open, and a follow-up investigation will be completed," the article said.]Sheriff Grady Judd would have never let something like this to happen.BUZZ FAIKSBabson Park